Washington's Birthday eBook

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GEORGE WASHINGTON[16]

BY HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE

On the 4th of March, 1797, Washington went to the
inauguration of his successor as President of the
United States. The Federal Government was sitting
in Philadelphia at that time, and Congress held sessions
in the courthouse on the corner of Sixth and Chestnut
Streets.

At the appointed hour Washington entered the hall,
followed by John Adams, who was to take the oath of
office. When they were seated, Washington arose
and introduced Mr. Adams to the audience, and then
proceeded to read in a firm, clear voice his brief
valedictory—­not his great “Farewell
Address,” for that had already been published.
A lady who sat on “the front bench,” “immediately
in front” of Washington, describes the scene
in these words:

There was a narrow passage from the
door of entrance to the room. General Washington
stopped at the end to let Mr. Adams pass to the chair.
The latter always wore a full suit of bright drab,
with loose cuffs to his coat. General Washington’s
dress was a full suit of black. His military
hat had the black cockade. There stood the “Father
of his Country,” acknowledged by nations the
first in war, first in peace, and first in the
hearts of his countrymen. No marshals with
gold-colored scarfs attended him; there was no cheering,
no noise; the most profound silence greeted him as
if the great assembly desired to hear him breathe.
Mr. Adams covered his face with both his hands;
the sleeves of his coat and his hands were covered
with tears. Every now and then there was a suppressed
sob. I cannot describe Washington’s
appearance as I felt it—­perfectly
composed and self-possessed till the close of his
address. Then, when strong nervous sobs broke
loose, when tears covered the faces, then the
great man was shaken. I never took my eyes
from his face. Large drops came from his eyes.
He looked as if his heart was with them, and
would be to the end.

On Washington’s retirement from the Presidency
one of his first employments was to arrange his papers
and letters. Then, on returning to his home,
the venerable master found many things to repair.
His landed estate comprised eight thousand acres,
and was divided into farms, with inclosures and farm
buildings. And now, with body and mind alike sound
and vigorous, he bent his energies to directing the
improvements that marked his last days at Mount Vernon.

In his earlier as well as in later life, his tour
of the farms would average from eight to twelve or
fourteen miles a day. He rode upon his farms
entirely unattended, opening his gates, pulling down
and putting up his fences as he passed, visiting his
laborers at their work, inspecting all the operations
of his extensive establishment with a careful eye,
directing useful improvements, and superintending them
in their progress.